1965 MG B Roadster
Highlights
- Significant mechanical investment in current ownership
- Desirable chrome bumper car with wire wheels
- Rare factory hard top included
The Appeal
A timeless British classic almost as iconic as tea and scones or Big Ben, the MGB was released in 1962 and remained in production until 1980 in various forms, the ‘B’ would go on to become a staple of British automotive culture, and it still holds a special place in classic car culture in the UK and overseas to this day, thanks to plentiful aftermarket support and extensive enthusiast and owner knowledge on offer.
This particular example is a 1965-registered chrome bumper Roadster, which has had a charmed life in the care of just four keepers from new.
The first owner had custody of the car from new until 1977, when the second keeper purchased the car for his then-wife, and registered the car into her name, where it remained until purchase by the now-owner in 2021.
History/Paperwork
- V5 registered keepers document, showing 3 former owners
- Extensive documentation and history, all contained in a well-organised folder
- Workshop manual included
- Original driver’s handbook present
- Garaged during the current owner’s tenure
- In the current ownership, the following areas have been addressed: Nearside rear shock absorber replaced, welding to nearside rear inner wheel arch area, repair to overdrive wiring, replaced all coolant & heater hoses, fitted new batteries & clamps, replaced nearside & offside front wishbone bushes, fit new rev counter & electronic ignition, refit gearlever bush, fitted new rear brake cylinders, new distributor & electronic points, rotor arm, distributor cap, HT leads & ignition coil, replaced flywheel, starter motor & clutch kit, thermostat housing, thermostat, gearbox mountings, waterpump fan, door cappings and brackets, wiper blades, replace clutch master and slave cylinder, and a new set of wire wheels.
- The original wire wheels and fog lamps/driving lamps are included with the sale of the vehicle, along with a host of miscellaneous spare parts
The Interior
- Presents in fair condition for the car’s age, but would benefit from a re-trim and TLC
- Soft-top in good condition with no noted rips, tears or damage, and the folding frame goes up-and-down without resistance. The soft top vinyl would benefit from some heat to ‘stretch’ it over the frame a little, however, as some of the tonneau tabs are slightly too tight to engage correctly
- The rare and desirable B Roadster hard top is included in the sale of the car, though this would benefit from some aesthetic attention, whilst the securing clips at the front of the roof would benefit from lubrication and adjustment
- The seats both exhibit some areas of significant wear, with numerous rips and tears noted on the driver’s seat especially
- The dashboard appears to be free of any sun damage or cracking, though there are areas that are more heavily worn than others, particularly on the high-traffic areas such as the various switches and dials on the fascia
- In the rear, the spare wheel is present
- The vendor notes no known electrical faults with the car’s systems, switches or gauges
The Exterior
- Externally, the bodywork of this MGB appears to be sound and has had any known corrosion-related issues attended to, but would benefit from full restoration to bring it back to its best
- Whilst in storage during its previous ownership tenure, it would appear that some chemicals or fluids leaked onto the bonnet and front wings of the car, causing a number of ‘run’ marks
- There are numerous spidering cracks/lines in the lacquer on the bonnet, along with several scuffs and larger imperfections dotted around the car, in addition to the commensurate stone chips and light blemishes that you’d expect for a vehicle of this age
- The nearside door in particular would benefit from adjustment, whilst the latch mechanism for the driver’s door can only be opened from the outside
- There are two small holes on the nearside front wing from a previous accessory attachment, along with holes in the front bumper from the fog/driving lights, which are included in the sale but are not fitted
- The various chrome details, trims and badges all appear to be present-and-correct
- A new set of wire wheels were fitted by the present keeper, and these present in very good order throughout
The Mechanics
- 1.8-litre, B-Series inline-four engine
- The engine bay, block and ancillaries present in fair condition, though a full detailing would likely transform the visual appearance of the engine
- There is some misting of oil around the cam cover, but otherwise no signs of any outwardly visible issues
- An electric fan with manual over-ride has been fitted to aid usability in day-to-day traffic
- Following a programme of expenditure in the current owner’s care, the engine, brakes and chassis are reported to be in excellent health, with the vendor stating that the car tracks straight-and-true at 70mph, is wonderfully drivable and shows good oil pressure
- During our photo shoot, the car starts without issue and idles happily
- There is a known issue with the gearbox, with reverse and 1st ‘jumping’ out of gear unless held in place, which will require attention
- On account of its age, this MG B Roadster is exempt from mandatory MoT examinations
Summary
An enduring classic with plenty of cult appeal, the MG B is often referred to as the ideal ‘starter’ classic for someone that wants to get their hands dirty on a car without breaking the bank.
This particular example is in seemingly excellent mechanical health (barring the aforementioned gearbox issue) and therefore makes a strong case for itself as an aesthetic restoration project, with plenty of recent expenditure taking care of any known corrosion or engine-based issues.
If you’re looking for a useable project to tinker with, drive and enjoy, then look no further.
BEFORE YOU BUY
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..
✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
✓ We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence.
✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed on Car & Classic and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it is always worthwhile carrying out your own full vehicle history check before making an offer on a vehicle.
✓Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection
or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it’s worth checking beforehand.. If requested, we may refer you to a third-party shipping company who can help. For more details and to speak to the team, email [email protected]
Auction Details
- Year 1965
- Make MG
- Model MGB GT
- Colour Green
- Mileage 98,860 Miles
- Engine size 1798
- Seller Type Private
- Town Brinkworth
- County Wiltshire
- Country United Kingdom
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Auction ends
8
bids
from 7
bidders
- Gaz13 £4,500 05/07/24
- fancief•••• £4,000 05/07/24
- paul-do•••• £3,600 05/07/24
- fancief•••• £3,500 04/07/24
- Willy j•••• £3,000 01/07/24
- Chris19•••• £1,500 01/07/24
- taylor.•••• £1,000 30/06/24
- norman.•••• £500 28/06/24
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